Double-acting ratchet mechanism



May 30, 1939. J. w. PRICE, JR 2,160,753

DOUBLE-ACTINGRATGHET MECHANISM Filed Oct. 21, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet l Y mm A TTORNEYS y 1939- Y J. w. PRICE, JR 2,160,753

DOUBLE-ACTING RATCHET MECHANiSM Filed Oct. 21, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 W1 TNESSES:

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May 30, 1939.

J. w. PRICE, JR

DOUBLE-ACTING RATCHET MECHANISM Filed 001;. 21, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 WI TNESSESI:

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Patented May 30, 1939 UNITED S TATES DOUBLE-ACTING RATCHE'I MECHANISM Joseph W. Price, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to The United States Metallic Packing C'om- P y, Pennsylvania Philadelphia,

Pa., a corporation of Application October 21, 1937, Serial No. 170,245

12 Claims.

This invention has reference to double-acting ratchet mechanism more particularly adapted for the operation of lubricators designed to automatic-ally supply suitable medium in definite .5 quantity to moving parts requiring constant lubrication. Means of the ,type referred to are usually designed to serve multiple parts, intermittently or continuously supplied by pump means, which are adapted for actuation by an associated reciprocatory member or element, such as the piston of a locomotive.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of a novel form of double-acting ratchet mechanism, whereby the pump means of a mechanical lubricator is adapted to function with both the forward and return strokes of the reciprocatory member or means.

Another object is to provide a novel double-acting ratchet mechanism for mechanical lubricators that positively preassures constant lubrication of all parts with which the lubricator communicates.

A further aim is the provision of a mechanical lubricator, indicating the improved mechanism above referred to, which is simple in construction, positive in action, and not susceptible to operating disorders.

With the foregoing objects in view, and ancillary advantages incidental thereto, this inven- 30, tion essentially comprises the combination in a mechanical lubricator including pump means for delivering suitable lubricant, under forced-feed, of a double-acting ratchet mechanism whereby said pump means is caused to elTect constant H delivery of lubricant whenever required. The present invention also involves certain combinations of instrumentalities and features of construction, substantially as hereinafter disclosed, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more concisely expressed in the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. I is a view of a mechanical lubricator, partly in section and partly in elevation, embodying the double-acting ratchet mechanism of this invention.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the ratchet assembly removed from the lubricator of Fig. I.

Fig. III is an exploded perspective view of the two main components of the mechanism with the ratchet component removed.

Fig. IV is a longitudinal section through the mechanism of Fig. II with the actuator means removed.

Fig. V is an elevation taken on the plane V-V Gil associated arrows; and,

60 chanical lubricator is therein illustrated, the same of Fig. IV, and as viewed in the direction of the comprising a reservoir I for suitable lubricant, such as oil; said reservoir having a removable cover 2 affording support for a plurality of delivery pump units, one only, designated 3, being shown. The pump unit 3 includes a cylinder '4, wherein operates arplunger 5, outwardly urged by a spring 6, actuable by the flat end portion 1 of a bell-crank lever 8, rockable on 'a shaft 9, mounted across the reservoir l. Extending across the reservoir l, in parallel relation to the shaft 9, is a second or cam shaft Ii) having rigidly secured thereto an eccentric cam H, for operating the pump unit 3, and a helical gear I 2 meshing with a similar gear I3, fixed to the ratchet mechanism shaft l4, disposed at right angles to the shafts 9 and Ill.

This shaft I4 is journaled at one end in an appropriate bearing l 5 in the reservoir wall, while its other or outwardly-directed portion extends axially through the novel double-acting ratchet mechanism, constituting the subject matter of this application for a patent, and comprehensively distinguished by the reference character t6, in Figs. IV and V.

This mechanism l6 comprises a cylindrical housing H having a surrounding flange 18, intermediate its ends, with circumferentially spaced holes 49 for passage of securing means 20, whereby it is rigidly attached to the reservoir I with interposition of an appropriate sealing gasket H. The housing ll embodies relatively stepped outer and inner parts having aligned bores 22, 23, respectively, of differential diameter, while the part including the bore 2-3 snugly fits a corresponding orifice 24 through the reservoir wall by which the mechanism is sustained.

Journaled in the bore 22, with capacity for limited rotary movement, is a tubular shaft 25 having at its inner end a radially-directed rigid segment 26, with an inner arcual cut-out 21 and an outer stepped portion 2 8, both of which are concentric with the axis of said shaft. In the stepped portion 28 there are provided spaced holes or sockets 29 for the driver pawls 30, each of which is bored out at 3| to partially house a spring 32 in compression therebetween and the confronting bottom of the segment sockets 29; and said pawls are provided with radial projections or pins 33 for coaction with longitudinal grooves or slots 34 in the outer face of the segment peripheral wall. These projections or pins 33 not only serve to prevent rotation of the driver pawls 30 relative to the segment 26, but accommodate axial movement thereof inwardly and outwardly, for the purpose hereinafter set forth. Mounted in, or formed integral with, the bottom of the bore 23 are a pair of diametrically located guide projections 35 extending outwardly from proximate the bore 22. These projections 35 are preferably of rectangular cross-section for free engagement by corresponding cut-outs 36 in the confronting wall of a floating-annulus or reciprocatory annulus or ring 31, and said annulus has another pair of similar cut-outs or notches 38, in its inner or opposed edge, located at approximately right angles to the cut-outs 36.

Fulcrumed on the ratchet mechanism shaft M with capacity for limited pivotal movement is a second segment 39, in all respects complemental to the rigid segment 28; accordingly, its parts corresponding with the latter are similarly designated by an added prime, to avoid unnecessary repetitive explanation. Each segment 26 and 39 is provided with a suitable axis pin M3 bearing a freely-rotative roller 4|, of a diameter for free coaction in the floating annulus cut-outs 3B, or a rigidly mounted stud may obviously be employed in lieu thereof.

Referring again to the ratchet mechanism shaft 14, it will be seen the same has secured thereon, in addition to the helical gear l3 hereinbefore referred to, a collar 42 which is firmly attached in place by a pin 43, in abutment with the rigid and movable segments 26, 39, said collar having a circumferential flange 44, with its outer body portion screw-threaded at 45. To this screw-threaded portion 55 is applied a discous ratchet 46 having radial teeth 41 for engagement by the driver pawls 30, 36; and said ratchet may be permanently secured to the collar flange 44 by rivets M, or the like. Freely socketed in circumferentially-spaced holes G8 in the wall of cylindrical housing l1, and normally under the outward influence of springs 49, are holding pawls 50, having shoulders 5|, effective for arrestive engagement by the teeth M of the discous ratchet 16, in preventing back motion of the latter. The holding pawls 5!) are preferably, although not essentially, arranged at substantially ninety-degree spacing, so that back slippage of the ratchet 4'6 is positively limited to a half-tooth, in accordance with conventional practice.

The outer end of the ratchet mechanism shaft [4 is preferably provided with a suitably sectioned part 52 for application of a hand-crank 53 for initial priming of the pump units 3, or when otherwise requisite. Rigidly secured to the outer end of the tubular shaft 25 by means of a bolt 54, the shank whereof is engageable in any one of a series of circumferentially-spaced notches 55 about the outer end of said shaft, is the head 56 of an actuator lever 57. This actuator lever 51 is operatively coordinated by means, not shown, adapted for imparting oscillatory movement thereto in accordance with known practice, and forms no part of this invention.

Briefly the device operates as follows, and assuming the reservoir I! to be supplied with the desired lubricant or oil, with the ratchet mechanism [6 adapted for rotation in a clockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow on Fig. V; the actuator lever 51 is oscillated according to the direction of travel of the reciprocating part with which it is operatively coordinated, such as the piston of a locomotive, for example. When the lever 51 is oscillated in one direction, the rigid segment 25 holding the driver pawls 30 moves to the lefthand, while the associated roller 41 shifts the reciprocating ring 31 in a corresponding direction. This movement of the ring 31, in turn similarly shifts or carries the pivotal segment 39, in a like direction, which causes the driver pawls 30 of said pivotal segment to rotate the discous ratchet Qt; while the driver pawls 30 in the rigid segment 26 concurrently slide over half the spa,c-

ing of the ratchet radial teeth 41, and the holding pawls 50 prevent any back movement of the ratchet 46. Similarly, as the actuator lever 51' swings in the reverse direction, or to the right, the driver pawls 39 in the rigid segment 26 rotate the ratchet 45, while the corresponding pawls 30' of the pivotal segment 39 ride over the radial teeth 41 of said ratchet as previously set forth. Thus it will be readily seen that the ratchet 4B is continuously rotated as long as the actuator lever 51 oscillates.

From the foregoing it is thought the merits and advantages of the invention will be clearly apparent, and that a lubricator of the type illustrated, embodying said invention, will automatically and continuously supply lubricant from the reservoir 8 in definite pre-determinable quantity to the parts requiring same. Minor changes may, obviously, be made in the structural details of arrangement and the like without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention; while it is to be particularly remarked that the novel double-acting ratchet mechanism hereinbefore disclosed is adapted for application to standard devices by simply removing the conventional securing means 20, and substituting said mechanism for other forms of means used for operating the pump units 3.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A double-acting ratchet mechanism comprising a shaft; a ratchet on said shaft for effecting its rotation, a tubular member on the shaft, said member having a rigidly-related segment and a relatively-pivotal segment, and each segment being provided with driver pawls and a projection; actuator means for turning the tubular member through predetermined limits relative to the shaft; and a floating element movable by the rigid segment projection for angularly shifting the pivotal segment to effect active cooperation of the driver pawls with the ratchet for continuous rotation of the latter in a definite direction.

2. A double-acting ratchet mechanism comprising a shaft; a ratchet on said shaft for effecting its rotation; a coaxial sleeve on the shaft embodying a rigid segment and an associated relatively-pivotal segment, each said segment having driver pawls and an actuator projection; means for turning the sleeve through predetermined limits relative to the shaft; and a reciprocative member movable by the rigid segment for angularly-shifting the pivotal segment so that the driver pawls of either segment are brought into active cooperation with the teeth of the ratchet to effect its continuous rotation in a definite direction.

3. A double-acting ratchet mechanism comprising a shaft; a disc ratchet fast on said shaft for effecting its rotation; a coaxial sleeve on the shaft embodying a rigid segment and an associated relativelypivotal segment, each said segment having reactive driver pawls and a pin projection; actuator means for turning the sleeve through predetermined limits relative to the shaft; a reciprocative ring and guide means, said ring having notches coactive with the segment pin projections, one of said projections serving to effect movement of the ring, so that said segments are respectively brought into active cooperation with the teeth of the ratchet for continuous driving of the latter in predetermined direction; and means preventing back motion of the ratchet during operation.

4. A double-acting ratchet mechanism comprising a cylindrical housing having differential aligned bores; a sleeve journaled in the housing with capacity for limited rotary movement in both directions, said sleeve embodying a rigidlyrelated segment with an associated relativelypivotal segment; outwardly-influenced driver pawls in each of said segments; a stud projecting from each segment; a shaft rotative in the sleeve; a disc ratchet fast on said shaft for coaction with the driver pawls; and a diametrically movable element operative by the rigid segment stud for angularly shifting the pivotal segment stud to effect continuous rotation of the ratchet in a predetermined direction.

5. A double-acting ratchet mechanism comprising a cylindrical housing having differential aligned bores, a sleeve journaled in the housing with capacity for limited rotary movement in both directions, said sleeve embodying a rigidlyrelated segment with an opposing relatively-pivotal segment; spring-influenced driver pawls in each of said segments; a stud projecting from each segment, a shaft rotative in the sleeve; a ratchet disc fast on said shaft for cooperation with the driver pawls; a slidable annulus movable by the rigid segment stud to angularly shift the pivotal segment for effecting right or left-hand continuous rotation of the ratchet disc; and means operatively coordinating said segments with the annulus.

6. A double-acting ratchet mechanism comprising a cylindrical housing having differential aligned bores, a sleeve journaled in the housing with capacity for limited rotary movement in both directions, said sleeve embodying a rigidlyrelated segment with an associated relatively-pivotal directionally opposing segment; spring-influenced reversely-active driver pawls in the respective segments; a shaft rotative in the sleeve; a ratchet fast on said shaft for cooperation with the active driver pawls; a reciprocative annulus slidable by the rigid segment to angularly shift the pivotal segment for effecting right or lefthand continuous rotation of the ratchet; means carried by the respective segments operatively coordinating said segments With the annulus; and holder means in the housing also engaging the ratchet to prevent back motion thereof irrespective of its rotative direction.

7. A double-acting ratchet mechanism comprising a cylindrical housing having axially aligned bores of difierential diameter, a tubular shaft journaled in the housing smaller bore; and oscillatory actuator at the outer end of the tubular shaft for imparting limited rotary movement thereto; a rigidly-related segment and a relatively-pivotal segment at the inner end of the tubular shaft within the housing larger bore; circumferentially-spaced, spring-influenced driver pawls socketed in each said segment, the driver pawls in the one segment being alternatinglyreversible; a second shaft rotative in the tubular shaft; a disc ratchet fast on said second shaft for coaction with the driver pawls; and a diametrically-guided annulus in the housing larger bore With coactive means for adjusting the active position of the driver pawls with respect to the segments for effecting right or left-hand directional rotation of the disc ratchet.

8. A double-acting ratchet, mechanism comprising a cylindrical housing having axiallyaligned bores of differential diameter, a tubular shaft journaled in the housing smaller bore; an oscillatory actuator at the outer end of the tubular shaft for imparting limited rotary movement thereto; a rigidly-related segment and a relatively-pivotal segment at the inner end of the tubular shaft within the housing larger bore; circumferentially-spaced spring-influenced driver pawls socketed in each said segment; another shaft rotative in the tubular shaft; a disc ratchet fast on the last mentioned shaft for coaction with the driver pawls; a diametricallymovable ring in the housing larger bore having opposed cut-outs in one face engaged over correspondingly located guide projections on the housing larger bore inner end wall; actuator means carried by the rigid and pivotal segments coactive with angularly-related cut-outs in the other face of the ring, said means serving to oscillate the rigid segment and effect angular positioning of the pivotal segment pawls to rotate the disc ratchet; and spring-influenced holding pawls socketed in the housing end, also engaging the disc ratchet teeth, to prevent back motion of said ratchet irrespective of its rotative direction.

9. A double-acting ratchet mechanism as defined in claim 8, wherein each driver pawl of the rigid segment is restrained from rotation by a radial pin engaging a longitudinal slot in its socket wall, and the spring-influenced holding pawls are free in the housing sockets for turning movement.

10. A double-acting ratchet mechanism as defined in claim 8, wherein the actuator means carried by the rigid and pivotal segments consist of rollers freely rotative on studs secured in said segments, one of said rollers serving to shift the diametrically-movable ring, and said ring angularly-shifting the other roller.

11. A double-acting ratchet mechanism as defined in claim 8, wherein the diametrically movable ring is of rectangular cross-section, said ring having opposed cut-outs in each of its flat faces, and the cut-outs in one face being disposed at substantially right angles to those in the other face.

12. The combination in a mechanical lubricator including suitable feeding means, of a double-acting ratchet mechanism for actuating tubular shaft within the housing larger bore;

circumferentially-spaced spring-influenced alternatingly-active driver pawls socketed in each said segment; a drive shaft rotative in the tubular shaft; a disc ratchet fast on said drive shaft for coaction with the driver pawls; a diametricallymovable ring in the housing larger bore having opposed cut-outs in one face engaged over correspondingly located guide projections at the inner end of said bore; projections from the rigid and pivotal segments coactive with rectangularly-related cut-outs in the confronting face of the ring, said projections serving to oscillate the rigid segment and for effecting angular adjustment of the pivotal segment and its driver pawls to rotate the disc ratchet; and spring-influenced holding pawls freely socketed in the housing end also engaging the disc ratchet teeth to prevent back motion of said ratchet irrespective of its rotative direction. JOSEPH W. PRICE, JR. 

